Home Get Inspired Pendants Yin-Yang, Peace & Knotwork Trio Pendant in Sterling Silver

A triangular cut-out sterling silver pendant on a rope chain, featuring a yin-yang symbol with a matte-finish contrast at the top, an intricate Celtic-style knotwork circle at lower left, and a peace symbol at lower right, all connected within an open triangular frame.

Yin-Yang, Peace & Knotwork Trio Pendant in Sterling Silver

$$$

Sterling silver

A client wanted three symbols he'd carried in his head for years — a discipline-themed knot design, the yin-yang, and the peace sign — combined into one wearable piece rather than kept separate. He was specific about the arrangement, wanting the yin-yang centered with the other two placed in relation to its two halves, and worked through several rounds of feedback on scale and finish before landing on a polish-and-matte contrast instead of enamel. When it arrived, he wrote: "I am completely KNOCKED OUT! It's a beautiful piece of work and matches up completely with what you described all along the way."

'I am completely KNOCKED OUT! It's a beautiful piece of work and matches up completely with what you described all along the way. It's very sturdy, the silver shines and the chain allows the pendant to fall at exactly the right level!' — on delivery

Start your project

Daily wear For himself Make Your Mark Identity expression, Personal symbol / signet

Quick specs

Design type

Pendants

Primary Metal

Sterling silver

Primary Stone

No stone

Accent Stones

None

Style

Celtic Cut out Knot Matte finish Minimal Symbolic

Design Complexity

Complex

Intent

Make Your Mark Identity expression, Personal symbol / signet

Intent: Certainty

High

Size

Pendant approximately 53.5mm (2.1in) length excluding bail. Chain: 3mm rope chain, 24in length.

How they made it distinctive

01
Three separate personal symbols combined into a single connected cut-out design rather than worn as separate charms
02
Yin-yang positioned centrally with the other two symbols placed intentionally to its left and right, per the client's specified arrangement
03
Enamel color was dropped in favor of a polish-and-matte finish contrast, keeping the whole piece tonal in silver
04
Knot detail line work cast at the minimum thickness the studio's process allows, which set the final pendant size
05
Rounded triangular cut-out frame chosen specifically to let all three symbols read clearly within one connected shape

How you'd make it yours

Symbol selection: this piece uses a discipline knot, yin-yang, and peace symbol; a new commission could combine any set of personally meaningful symbols

Finish: this piece uses a polish-and-matte contrast; a new design could use enamel color fill instead for a bolder look

Metal: this piece is sterling silver; the same cut-out language works in white gold or platinum for a heavier, more formal piece

Frame shape: this piece uses a rounded triangle; a new commission could use a circular or vertical bar frame depending on the symbols chosen

Chain: this piece uses a 3mm rope chain at 24 inches; a new piece could use a curb or figaro chain at a different length

One of a kind: this exact pendant was designed for one client's specific set of symbols and is not reproduced — a new commission is an original piece inspired by this one, not a copy

Design changes made

The pendant was originally rendered with black enamel on the yin-yang, but after seeing the render the client asked to remove color entirely; the black side was reworked as a matte finish against the plain polished silver to keep contrast without enamel. The pendant length was also kept at 2 inches rather than reduced to 1.5 inches, since the knot detail was already at the minimum size for casting.

Who this is for

This piece is for someone who carries a few personal touchstones — philosophical, spiritual, or symbolic — and wants them worn as one unified statement rather than scattered across separate pieces. It suits someone who prefers a clean, tonal metal look over color, and who wants a specific arrangement of ideas rather than a generic combination of symbols.

How it's made

Once the three-symbol design was approved, a wax model was 3D-printed and attached to a wax tree, which was then invested in plaster and placed in a kiln to burn out the wax and leave a hollow mold. Molten sterling silver was poured into the mold, then cooled and released from the plaster before cleanup began. After casting, the piece was cleaned and polished to a high shine across the yin-yang's plain-metal half, the knot medallion, and the peace symbol. The opposite half of the yin-yang disc was then given a matte finish to create tonal contrast in place of enamel, since the fine cut-out lines of the knot design were already at the studio's casting minimum and needed to remain intact through finishing.

Key note

The knot design's line work was cast at the minimum thickness the studio's process allows, which is the reason the pendant could not be reduced below 2 inches without risking the detail.

Pricing guidance

A sterling silver cut-out pendant combining several detailed symbols sits in the mid range for silver custom work of this complexity. The main cost driver is the fine cut-out line work across three connected motifs, which requires careful CAD modeling and casting at the minimum viable thickness. Chain choice and finishing method are secondary factors that shift the price from there.

Moves price up ↑

↑
Adding enamel color fill instead of a plain polish-and-matte contrast
↑
Upgrading the metal from sterling silver to gold or platinum
↑
Increasing the overall pendant size, which requires thicker structural lines and more material
↑
Adding a thicker or more elaborate chain style
↑
Combining more than three symbols into the same connected design

Moves price down ↓

↓
Simplifying the knot pattern to reduce the amount of fine cut-out line work
↓
Reducing the number of connected symbols to two
↓
Choosing a thinner, simpler chain style
↓
Using engraving instead of cut-out construction for one or more symbols
↓
Keeping the pendant at a smaller overall scale where the design allows it

Questions people ask

Can you combine multiple symbols into one pendant design?

Yes, multiple symbols can be arranged within a single connected frame rather than as separate charms. The key design challenge is balancing the visual weight and placement of each symbol so the piece reads as one cohesive design rather than a cluttered collage. A rounded triangular or circular frame often works well for grouping three elements. The arrangement and relative size of each symbol should be worked out during the sketch phase before moving to a 3D render.

How durable is a cut-out sterling silver pendant with fine detail lines?

Sterling silver (.925) is a durable choice for cut-out pendant designs, but very fine line work does have a minimum thickness that casting can reliably produce without the lines being fragile. Designs with intricate knotwork or lattice patterns are typically kept at or above that casting minimum to avoid weak points. Once cast, the piece is solid and holds up well to daily wear, though extremely delicate cut-out sections should be handled with reasonable care, the same as any fine metalwork. Regular wear and occasional polishing will keep the finish looking bright.

What does a detailed silver symbol pendant like this typically cost?

A sterling silver pendant with multiple connected cut-out symbols and combined finishing techniques sits in the mid range for custom silver pieces. Cost is driven primarily by the complexity of the line work and the CAD design time needed to make several symbols read clearly within one frame. Chain selection and any additional finishing (enamel, plating) shift the price up or down from there. Simpler single-symbol pendants in the same metal generally cost less.

Can the yin-yang symbol be done without enamel color?

Yes. Instead of black-and-white enamel, a yin-yang can be rendered entirely in one metal tone by giving one half a high-polish finish and the other half a matte finish. This creates a clear visual contrast between the two halves while keeping the piece monochromatic. It also avoids the long-term maintenance concerns that come with enamel, which can chip or wear over time. This finishing approach works well for clients who want the symbolism without introducing color.

How long does it take to make a custom silver pendant like this?

A custom pendant with a design of this complexity typically takes about one week for the design phase — sketch, 3D model, and rendered approval — followed by three to four weeks for production once the design is approved. Production includes 3D-printing a wax model, casting in sterling silver, and hand-finishing. More intricate cut-out designs, like a knotwork pattern, may need a resin or wax preview before casting to confirm the fine details will hold up. Total turnaround from approved design to shipping is generally around a month.

What chain works best with a cut-out pendant like this?

A simple chain style, like a thin rope or curb chain, is a common choice when the goal is to let the pendant be the visual focus rather than the chain. A 2 to 3mm width in sterling silver is substantial enough to support a mid-sized pendant without competing with the design. Chain length depends on where the wearer wants the piece to sit — a 24-inch length is a common choice for a pendant intended to hang at the center of the chest on a man. Matching the chain metal to the pendant metal keeps the piece visually consistent.

Can pendant designs be resized after the render is approved?

Minor size adjustments are usually possible during the design phase, before the piece moves to casting, but once fine detail work (like knot patterns) is locked at a minimum casting thickness, further size reduction can compromise the integrity of the design. It's best to finalize size preferences during the sketch and render stages rather than after production has started. If a design includes intricate line work, the studio will flag whether the requested size is workable at that detail level. Reviewing a printed paper cutout at actual size against the body is a simple way to confirm scale before approving the final render.

Can a pendant be designed as a silhouette instead of a colored or enameled piece?

Yes, cut-out or silhouette-style designs work well for symbolic pendants and avoid the maintenance considerations that come with enamel fill. Contrast between elements can still be achieved through different finishing techniques, such as pairing a high-polish surface with a matte or brushed surface. This approach keeps the piece entirely in one metal tone while still giving visual separation between design elements. It's a durable, low-maintenance alternative to color-filled designs.